November 14th.
Mewtwo's return did not cause much disturbance to the calm daily life of the nursery.
Out of habit, he asked about the whereabouts of Mew and Jirachi.
After learning that Jirachi was still asleep and that Mew had gone out to play, he did not ask any further questions.
And then… well…
At this very moment, he was standing in the kitchen.
"The psychic force you use when kneading dough should not be too strong. Be gentle."
"Dumpling wrappers need to be round. Look at the ones you rolled out. They are crooked. They look like something a puppy made."
"The key to boiling dumplings is…"
"If you can pick them up with chopsticks, they are done."
Mewtwo watched the dumplings swim in the pot like little fish and could not help smiling.
Who knew how many times Lin Feng had scolded him just for these few dumplings?
Yet when he finally looked at the finished product, the corners of his mouth lifted despite himself.
"Want to try one?" Lin Feng asked, picking up a dumpling with his chopsticks and holding it near Mewtwo's mouth.
"I will eat it myself."
Mewtwo refused to be fed. He happily picked up a pair of chopsticks, grabbed a dumpling, and took a bite.
After chewing, he realized it was not as good as the ones Lin Feng made. Still, a strange and pleasant feeling welled up inside him.
"See? Food always tastes better when you make it yourself," Lin Feng said, coaxing him with a grin.
"Yes!" Mewtwo nodded firmly.
That was when Lin Feng revealed his true intention.
"Good. Then all the dumplings for the Winter Solstice will be made by you."
"Okay! …Wait, what?"
Mewtwo nodded without hesitation, then froze as the meaning sank in. He turned to Lin Feng with uncertainty.
"You mean… everyone's dumplings? All the Pokémon's too?"
"Of course," Lin Feng replied matter-of-factly. "You already know how to do it. Make a few more batches and you will be fine."
Otherwise, what was the point of learning?
Mewtwo stared at him, utterly stunned.
After a long silence, under Lin Feng's unwavering gaze, he finally nodded.
"Alright."
"Good luck," Lin Feng said with satisfaction. "This afternoon, I will teach you two more dishes."
He patted Mewtwo on the shoulder, full of expectation, and walked out of the kitchen feeling quietly pleased.
"Just as I thought," he muttered to himself. "Psychic-type Pokémon really are born chefs."
Before Mewtwo officially became a Gym Leader, Lin Feng planned to train him into a fully qualified caretaker first.
Leaving the kitchen, Lin Feng went to the cowshed to check the honey wine barrels.
The moment he finished inspecting them, his expression brightened.
The chocolate liqueur that had disappeared three days ago had vanished again.
This time, it took only two days.
Just like before, not only was the chocolate liqueur gone, but an entire barrel of honey wine had disappeared as well.
"They are drinking faster and faster," Lin Feng murmured.
He did not dwell on it. As usual, he refilled the chocolate liqueur, this time in a slightly smaller amount.
After topping it off with water, he headed back toward the nursery.
The cowshed was silent, broken only by the occasional sound of Miltank chewing hay.
As soon as he stepped into the orchard, Serperior slid over.
"Serperior~"
(There is a special kind of berry here.)
"Huh? A mutated berry?" Lin Feng's eyes lit up.
"Yes," Serperior nodded.
Lin Feng immediately followed her through the vegetable plots to the source of the mutation.
When he arrived, he realized it was not a berry bush at all, but a mutated peach tree.
Logically speaking, this tree should not have borne fruit this season.
Nearby peach trees had already begun to wither, their leaves drying and falling.
Yet this one stood lush and full of life, covered in pink blossoms. Five peaches hung from its branches, each glowing faintly with white light.
[Adaptive Peach: A rare fruit that changes size according to the cultivator's intent. After consumption, it allows the eater to shrink or expand their body by up to five times, based on their own will.]
Note: The greater the change, the greater the energy consumption. Smaller adjustments require far less energy.
"…What?"
Lin Feng was stunned when he read the description.
A fruit that could change size based on intent?
He instinctively glanced at Serperior, who was looking at him with clear anticipation.
When she noticed his gaze, she immediately lifted her head, pretending to be calm.
"Good girl," Lin Feng said with a smile, eyes gleaming. "Let me pat your head."
"Serperior?"
She flinched, clearly not expecting that request, but after a moment of hesitation, she lowered her head.
Lin Feng placed his hand gently on her head.
The instant he touched her, she snapped her head back up.
"This fruit has a very unusual effect," Lin Feng said casually.
"What kind?" she asked.
"If a Pokémon eats it, they can change their body size according to their own wishes. And it seems the change might be permanent."
He picked one peach and explained its effects in detail.
"Change size?" Serperior froze, staring at the peach in his hand. She flicked her tongue unconsciously. "How small can it go?"
"About five times smaller. Your length is around one meter now, right?"
Serperior slowly circled around Lin Feng, her body coiling loosely around him. Her amber eyes shimmered with longing.
Lin Feng chuckled.
"Good girl. You really want to eat it, huh? Then tell me. Do you want to become bigger, or smaller?"
"Change…" she began instinctively, then stopped when she saw the playful glint in his eyes.
She hesitated for a long time.
So long that Lin Feng began to feel he had gone too far. He dropped his smile, ready to apologize and comfort her.
Then…
Serperior lowered her head and whispered softly, "I want to be smaller."
Lin Feng startled. "What?"
He had barely heard her.
The next second, Serperior lifted her head and looked straight at him.
"If I become smaller… will you still be able to hold me like before?"
"…"